2008 Woodie Awards
NSBE moves to Level III after 22-16 senate vote
Justin Oswald
Issue date: 12/6/07 Section: News
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12/06/07 - After weeks of debate, the National Society of Black Engineers was recognized as a Level III organization at the University of Rhode Island Student Senate meeting last night.
Senators stated their reasons for recognizing NSBE at Level III or at its previous position at Level IV. The discussion, and the Student Organization Advisory and Review Committee's 4-2 recommendation, ultimately resulted in senate's 22-16 vote in favor of Level III recognition.
As a Level III group, NSBE will receive the standard financial benefits package - currently $260 - and access to contingency grants.
SOARC member Samantha Gagnon voted in favor of making NSBE a Level III organization.
Gagnon said senate keeps pushing the vote off and it is time to give NSBE its proper recognition. Her reasoning was that NSBE "shouldn't be limited because of the one word, 'engineer,' in their name."
Sen. Gabe Mancuso, along with other senators during debate, stated more reasons in regards to the bylaws of why NSBE should be Level III.
"From what I've heard from NSBE, they meet the criteria," Mancuso said. "The study jams go well beyond providing benefits to its members."
Academic Affairs Committee Chairwoman Cristin Langworthy thought the activities NSBE provides outside of its academic and professional assistance could be accomplished through already existing organizations, and that NSBE should remain at Level IV.
Mancuso responded to the concern by saying, "I am of the personal opinion that more successful groups compartmentalized into smaller groups are better than one overarching group."
Mancuso said he believed that in larger organizations there are power struggles and a disagreement on what the primary interests are. NSBE currently has 86 members.
Many opposition arguments were based upon concerns of NSBE being "academically entangled" and providing professional development, two factors that normally prevent an organization from being recognized at Level III.
Senators stated their reasons for recognizing NSBE at Level III or at its previous position at Level IV. The discussion, and the Student Organization Advisory and Review Committee's 4-2 recommendation, ultimately resulted in senate's 22-16 vote in favor of Level III recognition.
As a Level III group, NSBE will receive the standard financial benefits package - currently $260 - and access to contingency grants.
SOARC member Samantha Gagnon voted in favor of making NSBE a Level III organization.
Gagnon said senate keeps pushing the vote off and it is time to give NSBE its proper recognition. Her reasoning was that NSBE "shouldn't be limited because of the one word, 'engineer,' in their name."
Sen. Gabe Mancuso, along with other senators during debate, stated more reasons in regards to the bylaws of why NSBE should be Level III.
"From what I've heard from NSBE, they meet the criteria," Mancuso said. "The study jams go well beyond providing benefits to its members."
Academic Affairs Committee Chairwoman Cristin Langworthy thought the activities NSBE provides outside of its academic and professional assistance could be accomplished through already existing organizations, and that NSBE should remain at Level IV.
Mancuso responded to the concern by saying, "I am of the personal opinion that more successful groups compartmentalized into smaller groups are better than one overarching group."
Mancuso said he believed that in larger organizations there are power struggles and a disagreement on what the primary interests are. NSBE currently has 86 members.
Many opposition arguments were based upon concerns of NSBE being "academically entangled" and providing professional development, two factors that normally prevent an organization from being recognized at Level III.